The standup and presenter on preshow prayers, blending dance with comedy and the night he bombed at the BBC

How did you get into comedy?
I feel like comedy got into me. At university, I hosted talent shows as part of the African and Caribbean society, and became popular on the university circuit. After that, someone said: “You’re a pretty funny host, you should try standup.” One of my first gigs was at Kojo’s Comedy Funhouse, performing these funny songs. But explaining those songs made people laugh even more. I didn’t even realise I was doing standup. It was never planned, but the moment I got a taste for it, it was just one gig after another. I never looked back.

Who did you admire when you were first starting out?
I remember watching Richard Blackwood. His shows would come on TV pretty late and if I caught my parents in a good mood, they would let me watch until the end. I used to love Bruce Forsyth. Ronnie Corbett was hilarious. I was a big fan of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin. It was never a case of wanting to be them – but I guess that was me taking in their energy.

Eddie Kadi: Let Me Land is on tour until 11 October